Study: Americans consuming nearly as many calories from alcohol as from carbonated, sugar-sweetened beverages

According to a study from the CDC, Americans are consuming nearly as many calories from alcoholic beverages as from sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juices.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that Americans get 5 percent of all their calories from alcoholic beverages, just short of the 6 percent from carbonated beverages and other sugar-sweetened drinks.

"We've been focusing on sugar-sweetened beverages," Cynthia Ogden, one of the study's authors and an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Associated Press. "This is something new."

Proving that results of a study really are a matter of perspective, a representative from the Distilled Spirits Council heralded the report as good news.

"This research shows that the overwhelming majority of adults drink moderately," Lisa Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the Distilled Spirits Council, said in a statement.

The CDC stressed the need for attention to the study because of the empty calories -- the amount of sugar compared to the amount of nutrients in a product -- both soda and alcohol contain. The study is based on interviews with more than 11,000 adults from
2007 to 2010

Some of the findings from the CDC study include:

The U.S. adult population consumes an average of almost 100 calories per day from alcoholic beverages.

Men consume more calories from alcoholic beverages than women.

Men consume more beer than other types of alcohol.

Average calories consumed from alcoholic beverages do not differ by race and ethnicity.